According to Green Car
Reports, the Converj's higher MSRP -- which would start around the $60,000
mark instead of $40,000 like the Chevrolet Volt -- would allow General Motors
to better recoup some of the costs associated with the expensive, first
generation Voltec platform.

The Converj, however, would have the added benefit of sleek
styling to drape over its chassis and Cadillac luxury touches instead of the
rather anonymous styling of the Volt. In addition, the Converj would be using a
"1.5" version of the Voltec platform. In the case of the Converj,
this most likely means that the vehicle will have a more powerful electric
motor to give it increased performance.

A completely new Voltec 2.0 platform will most likely arrive
when the Volt gets fully revamped for its second generation in 2015.

The Converj would replace the Escalade Hybrid as Cadillac’s
headlining vehicle for the "green" movement, and would help the
American luxury mark compete with upcoming electric vehicle offerings from BMW
and Audi.

Updated 8/17/2011 @ 6:19pm EST

GM confirmed today that the Converj concept car will go into production using the Volt's powertrain and will be dubbed the ELR. Here's the full press release:

DETROIT – The innovative Cadillac Converj Concept, a dramatic luxury coupe with extended-range electric vehicle technology, is moving forward as a production car that will be called the Cadillac ELR.

Development of the ELR is just underway, so details on performance, price and timing will be announced later.

The Cadillac ELR will feature an electric propulsion system made up of a T-shaped lithium ion battery, an electric drive unit, and a four-cylinder engine-generator. It uses electricity as its primary source to drive the car without using gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions. When the battery’s energy is low, the ELR seamlessly switches to extended-range mode to enable driving for hundreds of additional miles.

“The concept generated instant enthusiasm,” said Don Butler, vice president-Cadillac Marketing. “Like other milestone Cadillac models of the past, the ELR will offer something not otherwise present – the combination of electric propulsion with striking design and the fun of luxury coupe driving.”

Cadillac selected the name ELR to indicate the car’s electric propulsion technology, in keeping with the brand’s 3-letter international model naming convention.

The Converj Concept sparked the idea of combining the desirability of a grand touring coupe with electrification, said Ed Welburn, GM vice president, Global Design.

“There’s no mistaking it for anything but a Cadillac, an aggressive, forward-leaning profile and proportion showcases a uniquely shaped, modern vision of a personal luxury 2+2,” Welburn said.

Cadillac will reveal another new concept car on Thursday, Aug. 18, at a special event prior to the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Cadillac also recently announced it will add two new vehicles to its product lineup in 2012, the XTS large luxury sedan and an all-new luxury compact sedan codenamed ATS.

“And I don't know why [Apple is] acting like it’s superior. I don't even get it. What are they trying to say?” -- Bill Gates on the Mac ads